Siamese Fighting
Fish
Family Name: Belontiidae
Scientific Name: Betta Splendens
Origin: Thailand
Maximum Adult Size: Around 3 Inches
Temperament: Mostly Peaceful. Sometimes Nips Fins.
Males Are Highly Agressive Towards Each Other However And Shouldn't Be
Kept Together. Males Should Only Be Placed With Females While Breeding
Or If Given Plenty Of Room Cover And Supervision. Females Are
Generally Peaceful With Each Other But Caution Is Advised
Time Active: Diurnal
Ideal P.H: 6 - 8
Ideal Temp: 24°c - 27°c
Ideal Salinity: Freshwater
Diet: Carnivore. Flake,
Livefoods, Frozen.
Tank Region: Top Dweller
Gender Differences: Males Generally Have More
Elaborate Finnage Than Females As Well As More Vivid Colouring.
Breeding: Easy To Medium.
Lifespan: Around 3 Years
Ideal Tankmates: Peaceful Species Who Aren't
Fin Nippers And Without Long Fins
Notes: Siamese fighters are labyrinth fish, meaning
they have an organ similar to a lung as well as gills. This allows them
to breath from the surface as well as through dissolved oxygen in the
water. Therefore they should always be kept in tanks that have plenty of
air under the coverglass or otherwise they can, and will, drown. Siamese
fighting fish are bubblenest builders and should be kept in tanks with
low currents to avoid destruction of the nest. They also find
it difficult to swim in tanks with high water movement due to the
size of their fins. Breeding can be accomplished by conditioning the
fish with livefoods while keeping the male and female seperated but
in sight of one another (either in two seperate tanks or with a tank
divider) until the male begins to build his bubblenest. No substrate
should be used in the male's tank and there should be plenty of cover
with java moss, fake plants, etc. Upon completion of the nest, the
female should be moved in with the male, who will chase her around until
she tires. The male will wrap himself around the female and squeeze her
until she releases eggs which he fertilises before placing them in the
nest. This process is continued until the female is emptied of eggs, at
which time she should be removed. Once the eggs hatch the male should
also be removed to prevent him eating the fry. The fry are extremely
small when they hatch so should be fed equally small foods such as
insuforia or microworms. As the fry grow large enough to sex the males
should be seperated and kept alone to prevent
fighting.